want to use irc? here are a few things to keep in mind:

• nobody likes losing chat history. if your server/network doesn’t implement draft/chathistory (a IRCv3 extension), you must use a “IRC bouncer” (an application that you host and stays connected for you 24/7).
• that said, it is good practice to use a bouncer anyways (unless you don’t mind and only want to be connected when you are around [even tho /away exists]). you can re-use the same connection/nick for your computer(s), phone, etc.

here are some recommended clients:

• the lounge (self-hostable, doubles as a bouncer and a client, supports a few nice things such as link embeds/file upload/etc. cons is that it’s a web application-only with no external client support.)
• quassel (you self-host a “core”, and use clients to connect to it - with multiple available for different devices)
• weechat (this is a TUI client, and a good one! but it can also double as a “server” for some clients such as weechat-android, so you can keep your connections on-the-go)

special mention to irccloud - proprietary, centralized, might not be your cup of tea, but it’s an easy way to get into irc. doubles as bouncer/client, file uploads, embeds for SOME websites (mostly socials, including fedi). free for 2 networks/disconnects you after 24 hours of inactivity, $6/mo otherwise.

for bouncers specifically (bring-your-own-client):

• soju (a “modern” bouncer. good if your client enjoys the new ircv3 funsies)
• ZNC (the good ol’. works well enough even until today)

@nay avoid irccloud at all costs. they are NOT a good company.

@craftxbox why’s that? any particular experiences?

@nay If i recall correctly in 2020 they were exposed for intentionally leaking user data to certain ircops

@nay the problem with #IRC bouncers is that hosters hate that even more than @torproject / #Tor *and #Cryptocurrency #mining or any #Cryptojacking & #malware.

• As in: Many will literally fire customers just for using Port 6667 and/or 6697…

• The same Hosters have no issues with people mining #Shitcoins that'll flood their Network and burn through NVMe-SSDs like #Solana or people running #ExitNodes from their Network!

The only thing that (tho deservedly!) gets them to cancel VPSes is hosting CSAM…

@craftxbox i haven’t certainly ever heard about that case either so i’m not sure; i know some irc ops avoid using it to avoid any risk, but not because it has happened

and yes, some cases have happened re. failures and leaks such as https://blog.irccloud.com/july-2020-log-exposure/ - that’s also a downside; logs are effectively not encrypted and permanently stored on their servers (unless you delete them), so also something to keep in mind

@nay I'd rather use chat.sr.ht if I was paying for an IRC bouncer than IRCCloud. It's free software (soju + gamja) and $2/month cheaper than IRCCloud (or free if you can't afford it and apply for financial support, or for some reason free for me (I think because I requested an account to test it before it was open for all sourcehut users))

@noisytoot TIL this is a thing